Reporter organizes concert for Sandy Hook victims

Tom Cleary

Published 9:37 pm, Friday, December 21, 2012

NEWTOWN -- As John Voket drove home from work last Saturday, tired from a 20-hour workday at the local newspaper here and teary-eyed with the shooting that tore apart his town still fresh in his mind, he had an idea.

Voket, who for the majority of his career has reported on the music industry, could use his contacts and friends to put together a benefit concert that could help those victimized by Adam Lanza, who killed 26 people, including 20 children, at Sandy Hook Elementary School on Dec. 14.

He said he wants to do whatever he can to help raise more money for the suffering community and "to create something going forward in their memory."

Voket reached out to a friend, concert promoter Keith Mahler, of Waterbury-based Premier Concerts, to organize the event.

Mahler and his colleagues have put out a call to artists, asking them to come and support the devastated people of Newtown.

The Webster Bank Arena in Bridgeport could be a possible venue for the benefit. Arena spokesman Michael Foley said while nothing has been pinned down and the concert planning is in a preliminary stage, "we are ready to host a show if it comes together."

Voket said there could be a series of concerts going forward, allowing artists not available for the first show, which could be in January or February, to participate.

Money raised through the concert will go to the official Newtown charity fund that has been set up by Newtown Savings Bank.

Through corporate and private underwriting, 100 percent of the proceeds will go to help the families of the victims, first responders and others directly impact by the massacre, Mahler said.

Musicians interested in participating can contact Keith Mahler or Anthony Rhodes at 203-573-1600 or through email, keith@premierconcerts.com or anthony@premierconcerts.com.